Chain shot



May 12, 1942. T. H. HUNTER CHAIN SHOT Filed June 5, 1941 I N VEN TOR.

Patented May 12, 1942 CHAIN SHOT 6 Claims.

This invention aims to provide a chain shot which will cut a wide swath, novel spring means being provided for maintaining the device in expanded form.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention, some of the chains being removed;

Fig. 2' is a section on the line 22 of Fig, 1; Fig. 3 is a section taken through the anchor;

Fig. 4 is a section taken through one of the projectiles;

Fig. 5 is a section showing a modified form of projectile;

Fig. 6 is a section showing another modification.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a chain shot comprising an anchor I, projectiles 2 uniformly distributed on the surface of an imaginary sphere whereof the anchor I is the center, an outer chain 3 connecting each projectile 2 with the next adjoining projectile, a radial chain A, connecting each projectile 2 with the anchor I, and expansion springs 5 through which the radial chains 4 pass, each spring 5 exerting outward pressure on one projectile 2, all of the springs 5 exerting inward pressure on the anchor I.

The word chain is to be construed as meaning any flexible element capable of exercising the function of a chain. Viewing the invention in its simplest form, the projectiles 2 are six in numher, four of them being located in the equatorial plane of the sphere whereof the anchor I is the center, each projectile of the four being disposed a quadrant of arc from the next adjoining projectile of the four, and two of the six projectiles being disposed at the poles of the sphere.

The springs 5 are of tubular, helical form, the convolutions of the springs increasing in diameter from the ends of the springs toward the intermediate portions thereof. This construction of the springs 5 gives room within them for the radial chains 4, when the device is collapsed and disposed in a shell (not shown).

In Fig. 4, the projectile 2 is shown as being solid. In Fig. 5, the projectile 2a is hollow, and contains an explosive charge 6, adapted to be set off by a timing device or detonator I, carried by the projectile 2a.

In Fig. 6, the projectile 2b is hollow and houses a small secondary projectile 20, connected to the main projectile 2b by a chain 2| of any desired length, The secondary projectile 20 finds an exit through a hole 22 in the main projectile 2b, and affords an increased width of sweep. The construction shown in Fig. 6 may be employed in connection with such of the main projectiles as is desired.

The anchor I may be made of integrally joined rings 8, arranged at right angles to each other. The anchor I and the projectiles 2 preferably are supplied with eyes 9, to which the ends of the various chains are connected. There may be as many projectiles and chains as is desired.

The device is simple in construction but will be found thoroughly advantageous in use.

What is claimed is:

1. A chain shot comprising an anchor, projectiles uniformlydistributed on the surface of an imaginary sphere whereof the anchor is the center, an outer chain connecting each projectile with the next adjoining projectile, a radial chain connecting each projectile with the anchor, and expansion springs through which the radial chains pass, each spring exerting outward pressure on one projectile, all of the springs exerting inward pressure on the anchor.

2. A chain shot constructed as set forth in claim 1, and wherein the projectiles are six in number, four of them being located in the equatorial plane of the sphere, each projectile of the four being disposed a quadrant of are from the next adjoining projectile of the four, and two of the six projectiles being disposed at the poles of the sphere.

3. A chain shot constructed as set forth in claim 1, and wherein the springs are of tubular, helical form, the convolutions of the springs increasing in diameter from the ends of the springs toward the intermediate portions thereof.

4. A chain shot constructed as set forth in claim 1, and wherein at least one of the projectiles is solid.

5. A chain shot constructed as set forth in claim 1, and wherein at least one of the projectiles carries an explosive charge.

6. A chain shot comprising an anchor,main projectiles uniformly distributed on the surface of an imaginary sphere whereof the anchor is the center, an outer chain connecting each main projectile with the next adjoining main projectile, a radial chain connecting each main projectile with the anchor, expansion springs through which the radial chains pass, each spring exerting out- 10 Ward pressure on one main projectile, all of the springs exerting inward pressure on the anchor, at least one of the main projectiles being hollow, and being provided with an opening, a secondary projectile Within the said main projectile, and

small enough to pass outwardly through the opening, and a chain connecting the secondary projectile with the main projectile.

THURMAN HAWKINS HUNTER. 

